<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 25): Affin Bank Bhd has exercised the call option to redeem its RM1 billion worth of subordinated medium term notes (MTN), based on information on Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM)’s Fully Automated System for Issuing/Tendering (FAST).</p></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>Notably, the bond has an expiry date of Feb 5, 2117.&nbsp;</p></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>“We, the facility agent, wish to inform that the issuer, Affin Bank Bhd, had today issued Notice of Exercise of Call Option on its intention to redeem Stock UN170018 in full on Feb 7, 2022.&nbsp;</p></div><div class=inPageAd id=div-gpt-ad-inpage></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>“The letter enclosing the call notice has been distributed to the noteholders by the trustee via email on Monday (Jan 24),” it said.</p></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>At noon break on Tuesday, the stock closed three sen or 1.55% lower at RM1.91, valuing the company at RM4.06 billion.&nbsp;</p></div>


Affin Bank Bhd has exercised the call option to redeem its RM1 billion worth of subordinated medium term notes (MTN), based on information on Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM)’s Fully Automated System for Issuing/Tendering (FAST).

Affin Bank exercises call option on its RM1b bond

Qualcomm said on Tuesday it was "positive" on President-elect Donald Trump's incoming administration and not concerned that proposed US tariffs on China would dampen its business in the country from which it derives nearly half its revenue.

Qualcomm 'positive' on Trump administration as it forecasts chip sales growth

KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 20): Shares of Malayan Flour Mills Bhd (MFM)(KL:MFLOUR) sank on Wednesday morning to their lowest in 10 months, after the company reported a nearly-70% drop in net profit in its third quarter.

Malayan Flour Mills shares sink to January-low after sharp 3Q profit drop

President-elect Donald Trump's incoming administration plans to target federal regulations championed by President Joe Biden that aim to make automobiles more fuel-efficient and incentivise a shift toward electric vehicles, according to two sources in contact with Trump's transition team.

Trump administration plans to roll back Biden's stricter fuel-efficiency standards

A record-breaking crypto rally born in the US is leaving its mark on Asia, including a jump in the value of bitcoin held by Bhutan to more than US$1 billion (RM4.47 billion) and a surge in digital-asset trading volumes in South Korea.

Asian crypto hotspots gain from US$800b rally led by US

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd sold its first public dollar bonds in nearly four years, part of a dual-currency transaction by the Chinese internet heavyweight to repay offshore debt and repurchase equity.

Alibaba sells first dollar bonds since 2021 to fund buybacks

KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 20): TA Securities downgraded its call on Star Media Group Bhd (KL:STAR) to “sell” from “hold”, after the media group’s latest third quarterly results missed expectations.

TA Securities downgrades Star Media after results miss expectations

Japan's exports rebounded in October, led by a pickup in chip equipment demand in China, data showed on Wednesday, suggesting that solid global demand was underpinning the country's still fragile economic recovery.

Japan's exports expand in October; potential Trump tariffs dim outlook

KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 20): The government has no objection to adopting technology from any country for the rollout of the second 5G network, provided it complies with technical and security standards, said Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil.

This includes adherence to the Communications a...

Govt open to technology from any country for second 5G network rollout — Fahmi

MORNING CALL: 20/11/24

Stocks in Asia were poised for a sluggish start as traders assess heightened geopolitical risks while awaiting the latest earnings from the world’s most valuable company. Bitcoin extended its post-election rally.

Asian stocks to tread cautiously ahead of Nvidia

<p>A brief recap of some corporate announcements that made the news on Tuesday.</p>


Hibiscus Petroleum, Dutch Lady, Dialog, Malayan Flour Mills, Cape EMS, Star Media, Teladan, SAM Engineering, APM Automotive, Comfort Gloves, Hextar Global, IFCA MSC, TCS Group, Binastra, Handal Energy

<p>Bright Packaging Industry Bhd (KL:BRIGHT) has seen a change in largest shareholder after businessman Datuk Ricky Wong Shee Kai sold a 17.78% stake to non-independent director Lye Jun Fei.</p>


Bright Packaging sees emergence of new largest shareholder after Ricky Wong 17.8% stake sale

<p>Despite the looming uncertainty in global trade arising from the US trade policy, economists are largely optimistic on Malaysia’s export growth outlook, citing trade diversions and front-loading opportunities, following October's rebound as growth in electronics and palm oil deliveries offset sharp contraction in shipments of petroleum.</p>


Economists maintain forecasts for Malaysia's export growth despite October's below-forecast rebound

<p>IFCA MSC Bhd posted a sharp year-on-year increase in its third quarter net profit, driven by strong revenue growth and operational efficiencies.</p>

<p>Net profit for the quarter ended Sept 30, 2024 (3QFY2024) jumped to RM5.5 million, nine times the RM610,000 it made in 3QFY2023, on higher revenue contributions and improved cost management, its bourse filing showed. &nbsp;</p>


IFCA MSC's 3Q profit surges on robust sales, announces plan to cap cash pile at RM70 mil

<p>Stocks in Asia were poised for a sluggish start as traders assess heightened geopolitical risks while awaiting the latest earnings from the world’s most valuable company. Bitcoin extended its post-election rally.</p>


<p>Comfort Gloves Bhd (KL:COMFORT) posted a wider net loss in the quarter ended Sept 30, 2024 (3QFY2024) on higher provisions for slow-moving inventory, write-downs and sizeable foreign exchange loss.</p>


Comfort Gloves' 3Q net loss widens on higher provisions, forex loss

<p>The world’s biggest coffee maker, Nestle SA, will continue raising prices and make packs smaller to limit the impact of higher bean prices on its bottom line.</p>


Nestle will lift coffee prices, shrink bags as beans get pricier

<p>Wall Street's main indexes fell on Tuesday, as escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine dented risk appetite globally and sent investors rushing for safe-haven assets.</p>


Wall Street falls as mounting Russia-Ukraine tensions cause jitters

<p>While Malaysia is consolidating returns on previous infrastructure investments, leveraging its established expertise in electronics, semiconductors and data centres, political shifts and the gradual outflow of talent could impact future economic progress, according to the 9th edition of e-Conomy SEA by Google, Temasek and Bain &amp; Co.</p>


A survey of Malaysia’s digital economy

<p>China’s Luckin Coffee Inc agreed to buy an equivalent of four million bags of beans from the world’s top exporter Brazil between 2025 and 2029, signalling continued demand from one of the fastest growing markets.</p>


Luckin Coffee deal for Brazil beans ensures steady China demand

<p>Stocks rebounded in a volatile session marked by geopolitical headlines, with Nvidia Corp climbing ahead of its results. Bitcoin extended its post-election rally.</p>


US stocks shake off war angst before Nvidia’s results

<p>There are only three official entry points along the Malaysia-Thailand border in Kelantan — the Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security (ICQS) Complexs in Rantau Panjang, Bukit Bunga and Pengkalan Kubor — Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said.</p>


Only three official entry points along Kelantan-Thailand border, says Saifuddin Nasution

<p>Ukrainian forces carried out their first strike on a border region in Russia using Western-supplied missiles as President Vladimir Putin approved an updated nuclear doctrine expanding the conditions for using atomic weapons.</p>


Ukraine carries out first strike with US missiles in Russia

<p>Mieco Chipboard Bhd (KL:MIECO) has returned to the black with a net profit of RM1.67 million in its third quarter ended Sept 30, 2024 (3QFY2024), from a net loss of RM45.89 million in 3QFY2023, on increased sales and improvement in production efficiency. &nbsp;</p>


Mieco returns to black in 3Q on better sales, efficiency

<p>European governments accused Russia on Tuesday of escalating hybrid attacks on Ukraine's Western allies, as Baltic nations investigated whether the cutting of two fibre-optic telecommunication cables in the Baltic Sea was sabotage.</p>


European nations denounce Russian hybrid attacks, cable cut probes launched

<p>Trafigura was accused by Swiss prosecutors of channelling bribes to an Angolan official through a network of former employees, including one nicknamed “Mr Non-Compliant” by the company’s late founder.</p>


Trafigura paid bribes via ‘Mr Non-Compliant,’ say Swiss prosecutors 

<p>KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 20): The government has no objection to adopting technology from any country for the rollout of the second 5G network, provided it complies with technical and security standards, said Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil.</p>

<p>This includes adherence to the Communications a...

<p>China’s Contemporary Amperex Technology Co Ltd (CATL) is in talks to establish battery recycling operations in Europe, adding to its footprint in the region as the company prepares to start cell production in Hungary.</p>


China’s CATL in early talks on EV battery recycling in Europe

<p>liminating the US electric vehicle tax credit would dent future EV demand — perhaps by more than a fourth — while providing a trivial boost to gasoline consumption, economists estimate.</p>


US electric vehicle demand seen plunging 27% without tax credit

<p>The Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) have expressed their hope that the new house arrest Bill proposed by the government will be studied and fine-tuned to ensure an orderly implementation and guarantee public safety.</p>
